Angels, Tigers play rubber match at Comerica

(SportsNetwork.com) - Hector Santiago aims for his first victory since last August when he takes the mound for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim against the Detroit Tigers in the rubber match of a three-game set at Comerica Park.

The 26-year-old left-hander gave up five hits and a run through seven innings of a no-decision against Oakland on Monday. In 10 career games (three starts) versus the Tigers, he has an 0-2 record with one save and a 2.48 ERA. His last win came as a member of the White Sox, Aug. 18, at Minnesota. He's lost four consecutive decisions since that time.

Rick Porcello has been given plenty of rest since his last start on April 11 when he gave up 10 hits and five runs over 6 1/3 innings of a 6-0 defeat at San Diego. The Tigers right-hander heads to the bump today with a 3-4 mark and an 8.34 ERA in nine career contests against the Angels.

Detroit snapped a 10-game losing streak against Los Angeles with a 5-2 win on Saturday. Max Scherzer (1-1) tossed seven solid innings, allowing just one run and three hits while striking out nine for the Tigers, who beat the Angels for the first time since Aug. 26, 2012.

"I can't say enough about how important that start was -- not only for us as a team, but just for the bullpen," Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. "We had a bunch of guys out there who really could use a day off."

Nick Castellanos and Victor Martinez homered for Detroit, which bounced back from an 11-6 loss in the opener of this series on Friday. Austin Jackson and Ian Kinsler each knocked in a run.

Albert Pujols recorded the 498th homer of his career for the Angels, who also got a homer from J.B. Shuck.

Los Angeles starter C.J. Wilson (2-2) gave up four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits with three walks over five innings. He lost on the road for the first time since last June 8 at Boston in the second contest of a doubleheader.

"It's pretty easy to see I was inconsistent today," Wilson said.

David Freese did not play for a second straight day for the Angels due to a tight right quadriceps muscle he suffered Wednesday. He may return to the lineup today.